Letters to the editor for June 18, 2019

Tuesday

Jun 18, 2019 at 2:01 AM

Compare pay

James Thompson’s June 9 column argued that Gainesville city commissioners are underpaid, but the job was never intended to be full-time.

Let’s compare Gainesville’s commissioner pay with other cities around the northern part of state. Gainesville has a population of 132,000. Its city commissioners make $32,730.01/year, and the mayor, who has added ceremonial duties, makes $41,656.42.

Ocala’s population is 57,000. Its commissioners make $6,000/year, including a vehicle and gasoline allowance. The council president is paid $6,600/year, and the mayor is paid $11,400/year.

Daytona Beach has a population of 68,000, and its city commissioners make $23,650/year. Tallahassee has a population of 191,000. Its commissioners make $36,000/year, and the mayor makes $72,000/year.

Jacksonville’s population is 892,000. A recent raise brought the annual salary of council members from $44,000 to $49,000, while the council president's salary rose from $58,800 to $65,500.

Jennifer Cabrera, Alachua

Fight animal cruelty

Rep. Ted Yoho has a chance to represent his constituents and fight animal cruelty by co-sponsoring the HEART Act. Right now, animals that are seized in abuse cases are forced to stay in shelters while the courts determine the outcome of the criminal case.

After the recent seizure of 100 dogs in the Gadsen County dog-fighting ring, it is imperative that our legislators support the HEART Act. Not only does staying in shelters long-term cause chronic stress for the animals, it puts a significant financial burden on shelters.

In addition to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and other animal-welfare groups, the HEART Act has been endorsed by the National Sheriff’s Association and the Association of the Prosecuting Attorneys. Animals should not have to spend more than a year entangled in legal limbo; they deserve to be in loving homes.

Rep. Yoho, please do the right thing and co-sponsor the HEART Act.

Jill Hoblick, Alachua

Show concern

Our president recently expressed that he is open to accepting opposition research from foreign governments. As a concerned citizen who believes U.S. elections should be by and for the people, and exclude foreign powers, I called my congressmen to find out what they thought.

Sen. Marco Rubio’s aide responded carefully by providing a quote regarding some opposition research, saying that Rubio said, “I wouldn’t discuss it because they were the work of a foreign intelligence agency.” Rep. Ted Yoho’s office, who always answers the phone politely, graciously provided a quote, “The U.S. should not invite Russia to Washington.” They also mentioned how Yoho supported a bill against cyber-threats.

Sen. Rick Scott’s office let me leave a message on their answering machine and never got back to me. None of my congressmen showed deep concern that the president publicly said he welcome’s opposition research from foreign entities. Why aren’t any of the people that my fair state sent to Washington showing concern?

Karen Porter, Newberry

Completely untrustworthy

I actually surprised myself when I read the recent headline: “US blames Iran for tanker attacks.” What I realized was that I didn’t believe the “U.S.” in the headline.

Donald Trump is completely untrustworthy, so I would never accept anything he says at face value. Call the agency “the U.S.” or “the administration” or “the White House” and you find those entities are simply mouthpieces for Trump, equally untrustworthy.

I don’t think there is anything unique about me; I assume there are many Americans feel the same as I do, and it shocks me that I am more willing to believe the Iranians than I am my own government. This is where Trump has brought us.

Duane Colwell, Keystone Heights

Write a letter

Letters to the editor should be emailed to letters@gainesville.com. Letters should be 150 words or less and include the writer’s full name, city of residence and contact information.

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